Spare Wheel........or NOT!

[Bobsyeruncle]

When I was 16 I had a puncture on my moped, and used a can of foam type sealant on it.
I forgot to mention to the guy in the motorbike shop that I'd used it. He pulled out the valve and immediately got absolutely covered in white foam.

 

[viv1969]

When I was 16 I had a puncture on my moped, and used a can of foam type sealant on it.
I forgot to mention to the guy in the motorbike shop that I'd used it. He pulled out the valve and immediately got absolutely covered in white foam.

Mr popular that day then

 

[robmac]

after spending hours waiting for recovery for a damaged tyre wall run flat i`ll get a spare!

 

[Cobra]

AFAIK, it's a 'universal' spare wheel that can be adjusted to fit most cars using the five bolt system. It's a get you home solution, and speed restricted. You don't buy it, and they have a system for recovering it after you get the tyre replaced

Ah OK that makes it a little clearer.
Good for membership too no doubt

Money saving my @rse, it's a rip off by manufacturers & allows them to keep weight down for MPG tests + manipulate figures for boot space Mts2

You old cynic you
( But of course I see where you are coming from )

 

[Nod]

In response to post #40.

While I would tend to agree with that (among other things, it allows full speed driving when fitted while space savers are supposed to be kept below 80km/h/50MPH), there are plenty of cars around that a full size spare just won't fit under the boot floor, hence the space saver.

 

[Peter B]

I got a spacesaver for my Toyota as that was all the room there was in the well. Having watched a few going on eBay, I asked at the Toyota dealer and found they were cheaper than the ones on eBay and absolutely no hassle getting it delivered to the Highlands!

 

[Russ77]

In response to post #40.

While I would tend to agree with that (among other things, it allows full speed driving when fitted while space savers are supposed to be kept below 80km/h/50MPH), there are plenty of cars around that a full size spare just won't fit under the boot floor, hence the space saver.

I bought a full size spare for my MK2 Focus and it won't fit in the wheel well, you used to be able to buy some spacer foam to allow the to fit but then you lose an inch or two of boot space and have "lip" above the boot shut.

Not an ideal solution really but as others have said, it just seems to be how things are going now :/

 

[BT Bob]

I'm one of the lucky ones - my '62-plate Peugeot 308 has a full-sized spare alloy. I've owned cars with space-saver spares and the repair kit.
Thankfully, it's been a long time since I needed to change a wheel.

As I understand it, it's not a legal requirement to have a spare, but if you do, it must be legal and will (or should) be checked during a MOT test.

 

[Cobra]

Actually I've just remembered a little anecdote, many years ago, I was in a minor accident, I was rear ended while stationary,
In those days cars were cars and it was easily drivable, while waiting for the insurance to sort themselves out, I got a puncture.
The rear ender had trapped the spare wheel in the boot and it couldn't be released.

I called the RAC ( think it was at the time) the were happy to replace the punctured tyre with the spare, after I explained the current situation,
their response was all members must carry a serviceable spare as part of the condition of membership.
And refused to come out or help in any way.

How times have changed eh?

 

[omens]

Good maintenance is better than either a crank handle or a spare wheel.

Srsly wtf?!?!?

Puncture #1 - nail in main section of tyre tread
Puncture #2 - caused by discarded spring entering side wall
Puncture #3 - caused by a nail in tread
Puncture #4 - caused by unseen pothole when overtaking another vehicle around a curve on a 30mph dual carriageway
Puncture #5 - caused by a pothole on the M25

In every case, the tyre was no more than twelve months old. Tyres are regularly checked to keep the pressures up and I make the effort to keep an eye on tyre tread depth. All tyres are discarded at 3mm because there's a noticeable drop in performance in the wet.

My own car (Golf) came with a spacesaver, scissor jack, and tools to remove the wheel. I can buy a large foam insert that would allow me to fit a full sized spare alloy. Having had a breakdown (#5) whilst around an hour's drive from home (driving at 50mph was painfully slow), I'm looking at buying a secondhand alloy to fit a tyre that means I can at least travel at reasonable motorway speeds should the need arise. It was also the first time I'd ever had to change a wheel at a service station, in the rain, having been up for around 18 hours prior to this.

I don't know how many people these days know how to change a wheel. Both the missus and the sister can't but they both have breakdown cover.

 

[Gremlin]

As I understand it, it's not a legal requirement to have a spare, but if you do, it must be legal and will (or should) be checked during a MOT test.

Wrong on both count, it doesn't have to be legal and it's not checked on MOT
But the moment you fit it to the vehicle it does become illegal so no point in carrying it

 

[Gremlin]

Last year they stopped putting spares in the work vans, health and saftey issue aparently.
So I get a puncture, wait 2 hours for assistance, breakdown people send out a tyre firm who just fit a new tyre.
Obviously this means I have 2 options, not complete the delivery or claim overtime, was told to do the first, so prioritised
the important stuff and bought the rest back.
Day off next day and apparantly in the morning same tyre was flat in the yard !!!
Another long wait for assistance, seems the tyre was fitted properlyresulting in a slow
loss of pressure, and again delivery not completed.
Well strangely we now have spare wheels appearing in vans when they go to the workshop, saving
company money all round on overtime etc.

Can I change a wheel.................... yes, have I ever had to .......no

 

[JonathanRyan]

I have a Smart car. Not only does it have no room for a spare, it has no room for the two spares I'd actually need (front and back wheels are different sizes).

I have RAC membership. If I get a puncture they will have to sort me out. In fact they may be my best bet for getting a new tyre as well - last time I checked they were very competitive on price. Most shops round here don't carry new tyres for Smarts as standard because neither size is used on any other vehicle......

Oh and as for the emergency foams....I used a can several years ago. I took the tyre to my local shop to see if it could be repaired "probably", the bloke said "let's take a look". I then mentioned that I'd sued some foam. "No, then". So instead of a £10 repair, it was £130 for a new tyre (this wasn't the Smart).

 

[crofter]

All my punctures 3 I think where on new tyres. nails etc dont care

Barstewards,you'd think they'd have more respect

 

[MartynK]

I don't know how many people these days know how to change a wheel. Both the missus and the sister can't but they both have breakdown cover.

My wife (petite) knows how to change a wheel, but just isn't strong enough to do it. She has roadside assist.

 

[Nod]

I bought a full size spare for my MK2 Focus and it won't fit in the wheel well, you used to be able to buy some spacer foam to allow the to fit but then you lose an inch or two of boot space and have "lip" above the boot shut.

Not an ideal solution really but as others have said, it just seems to be how things are going now :/

A full size (width) spare won't fit under my boot floor so I'll stick with the space saver. Only needed to use it once and that was while I was having a kerbing scuff repaired and the car stayed on the drive for the 2 days the repair took. Had to put the seats down in the s***box Clio to get the wheel in! I think that Mrs Nod's car has a full sized spare in the boot (well, under the floor!) and the Clio has one full size in the boot and one in the garage.

I have a Smart car. Not only does it have no room for a spare, it has no room for the two spares I'd actually need (front and back wheels are different sizes).

I have RAC membership. If I get a puncture they will have to sort me out. In fact they may be my best bet for getting a new tyre as well - last time I checked they were very competitive on price. Most shops round here don't carry new tyres for Smarts as standard because neither size is used on any other vehicle.......

IIRC, there used to be a considerable wait for spares for Smarts since MB/Swatch were taking the full production runs for new cars, leaving none for the public. Made Smarts VERY popular with thieves for a while, just for breaking for their wheels and tyres.

 

[nilagin]

How can people not know how to change a wheel? It's not hard. They even make it easy for you now and put arrows on the sills or side skirts indicating the jacking points.

 

[juggler]

How can people not know how to change a wheel? It's not hard. They even make it easy for you now and put arrows on the sills or side skirts indicating the jacking points.

It's not hard but still requires knowledge.
No-one will know what a jacking point is let alone how to use one unless they've been shown or put some effort into finding out.

 

[Gremlin]

It's not hard but still requires knowledge.
No-one will know what a jacking point is let alone how to use one unless they've been shown or put some effort into finding out.

I always think the classic is watching someone trying to undo the nuts AFTER they have jacked the car up

 

[nilagin]

It's not hard but still requires knowledge.
No-one will know what a jacking point is let alone how to use one unless they've been shown or put some effort into finding out.

Np-one ever showed me or told me. Nor did I put any effort into finding out.
But even handbooks show you the jacking points.

I always think the classic is watching someone trying to undo the nuts AFTER they have jacked the car up

It's easy, same for doing them up too.

 

[viv1969]

How can people not know how to change a wheel? It's not hard. They even make it easy for you now and put arrows on the sills or side skirts indicating the jacking points.

It's not hard but still requires knowledge.
No-one will know what a jacking point is let alone how to use one unless they've been shown or put some effort into finding out.

It also requires the physical ability to do so, which some do not possess.
Should that preclude them from driving?

 

[andyred]

And don't forget, trying to get the bloody wheel off when the alloy wheel has "welded" itself to the hub and it ain't for moving ...

 

[nilagin]

And don't forget, trying to get the bloody wheel off when the alloy wheel has "welded" itself to the hub and it ain't for moving ...

Kick it. Or better still apply a thin layer of grease, Vaseline or oil to the seating face and it won't stick.

 

[stryvya]

I would definitely advise getting a cheap spare from a scrappy and fit it with a decent tyre inflated to the correct pressure. You will also need to buy a jack as well, and I would recommend Lidl, Aldi or Argos for a 1 ton trolley jack plus an axle stand (or pair).

Just the Kit to keep in the back of your Smart Car!!

 

[srichards]

I've mostly had 4wd cars so fitting some whazzock of a spare wouldn't do it much good. Plus it is guaranteed to happen when it is pishing down so I'd just get breakdown to take me and the car home then I have option of taking wheel off myself or getting some mobile tyre place to sort it.

 

[OldCarlos]

I don't have a crank handle to start the engine with either.

Obviously the reliability of modern cars made them obsolete, but in the late 70's I had a 10 yr old Wolseley 16/60. It had been well looked after by an old guy who'd had it from new, but occasionally the crank handle came in very useful on cold Winter mornings

Spent a couple of Summer hols (even slept in the old girl) touring daarn saarf & the West country/Cornwall Happy days.

 

[Gremlin]

It's easy, same for doing them up too.

Take it you've never watched one spin as they try to undo the nuts then ?

 

[andythilo]

Not had a single can of gunk work yet. Get a space saver or full size spare.

 

[nilagin]

Take it you've never watched one spin as they try to undo the nuts then ?

No, but I often undo them and do them up again in the air when taking the wheels off for cleaning and swapping around. A sharp jerk of a breaker bar is enough to loosen them before the wheel starts spinning.

 

[gerry s]

Battery takes up the space where the spare would go but have run flats anyway. Garage told me if I got a puncture in Manchester I would be able to get home, I told him I never go to Manchester so what's the point in that.

 

[MWHCVT]

This is a sore subject for me as twice I ended up have to be recovered back home because of a car without a bloody spare, and there was nearly a third time where I was on the way home having just left Kent on the Saturday of a bank holiday weekend, thankfully that time we had a flat that was re inflatable not like the other to times where it went at 60 and 70 respectively

Had I not killed the car I was looking for a spare for it, it's a crock of s***e from the manufacturers that they cut costs like this

 

[OldCarlos]

Had I not killed the car I was looking for a spare for it, it's a crock of s***e from the manufacturers that they cut costs like this

Every time I've been in a showroom/forecourt & see a car without a spare wheel, I've commented & said I'd never purchase it. (even though I'd actually no intention of doing so)

 

[andya700]

the problem is they take you to the nearest tyre kwikfit (other brands are available) I was lucky and got there 20mins before they closed otherwise it would have been a long wait for a recovery vehicle to take mine home.............I hate to think what would have happened at night on a country road with no phone signal a norm for EE users outside the main cities

NOBODY - ABSOLUTELY NOBODY is LUCKY to be taken to their local KF IMO, that is like being taken to your local cashpoint by thieves and being told to withdraw all your money for them!

 

[Paulmag]

NOBODY - ABSOLUTELY NOBODY is LUCKY to be taken to their local KF IMO, that is like being taken to your local cashpoint by thieves and being told to withdraw all your money for them!

I wouldnt know it cost me nothing..............never has..........leased full maintenance.

 

[MWHCVT]

Every time I've been in a showroom/forecourt & see a car without a spare wheel, I've commented & said I'd never purchase it. (even though I'd actually no intention of doing so)

In my case I inherited the car from my mum and she frankly would likely never have even considered it not having a spare at the time of buying, it's certainly something I look at though when looking at replacement cars

 

[Russ77]

And don't forget, trying to get the bloody wheel off when the alloy wheel has "welded" itself to the hub and it ain't for moving ...

Had this happen to me so for that reason I keep a rubber mallet in the car to "assist" the removal of stubborn wheels.

Having said that, my car seems to chew through a set of front tyres every year and I also rotate front/back so I have the newest rubber on the rear so it's rare they have time to weld themselves on now

 

[nilagin]

I wouldnt know it cost me nothing..............never has..........leased full maintenance.

It's all paid for in your lease fees. If you need tyres etc., you're getting your moneys worth. If not the Lease company makes a bigger profit and you've paid for tyres and/or maintenance that never happened.

 

[Gremlin]

No, but I often undo them and do them up again in the air when taking the wheels off for cleaning and swapping around. A sharp jerk of a breaker bar is enough to loosen them before the wheel starts spinning.

Try watching someone sometime
Seriiusy even seen it happen at work, if the nuts are tightened up with one of those auto things so they are tight
and left on for ages, the wheel does spin as they try to loosen, then of course you get the other thing of not
realising you have to jack it up higher to get a fully inflated wheel and tyre back on.

One thing that has always confused me is why some manufacturers use nuts and some studs ?

 

[wack61]

It is possible to puncture a brand new tyre. Weakness or maintenance has nothing to do with it.

I put 4 new Michelin pilot sport 3s on an Impreza last year at Costco , drove home then to the North east for a weekend away , as I approached the hotel vague steering, flat front tyre with a screw in it , less than 300 miles, puncture was too close to the edge to fix,

 

[nilagin]

Try watching someone sometime
Seriiusy even seen it happen at work, if the nuts are tightened up with one of those auto things so they are tight
and left on for ages, the wheel does spin as they try to loosen, then of course you get the other thing of not
realising you have to jack it up higher to get a fully inflated wheel and tyre back on.

One thing that has always confused me is why some manufacturers use nuts and some studs ?

I always take my car to a reputable place that only uses a nut runner on standard nuts and not the locking wheel nut, but the nutrunners are set not to over tighten and the wheel nuts are then torqued. If I'm unsure, I always loosen and retighten the wheel nuts myself asap just to make sure they aren't over tightened. The knack once in the air is if the wheel nut is to the left of the wheel centre, you need to have the breaker bar or wrench pointing right and or if the chosen wheel nut is to right of centre then have the wrench pointing to the left, that way when you undo, you are working against the rotation of the wheel and it's not going to spin.

I can't answer the nuts or bolts question, I've only ever owned Ford cars and some have had bolts, whilst some have had nuts. All Fords currently seem to have nuts.